Cape Wind Project Has New Hope

Key federal lawmakers have agreed to drop Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's veto power over the proposed Cape Wind project, adopting a compromise that could boost the project's prospects. The new bill, breaking weeks of stalemate on Capitol Hill, also ensures the Coast Guard a primary role in deciding the fate of the offshore wind farm.

Kennedy and other lawmakers, concerned about the Coast Guard bill's fate, last month dropped their demands that Romney and succeeding governors be given veto power over wind farm locations. Instead, they urged that the Coast Guard commandant be given veto power over such projects. That demand was not included in the latest compromise. The new legislation enhances the Coast Guard's role in determining whether the off shore wind projects poses navigational hazards.

The compromise was reached when the Coast Guard money bill which is vital to coastal states such as Massachusetts was stalled over the language regarding the Cape Wind project.

Cape Wind's plan has been under review by various federal and state agencies, including the Coast Guard, for nearly five years.

Opponents have voiced concerns about the environmental and economic impact to Cape Cod, particularly its tourist and fishing industries. They say the project's turbines towering 417 feet high could pose navigation and radar hazards

Comments

[Devan]

I hear the "opponents" advertisements on the radio once in a while and disappointing that they are characterizing this as some sort of industrial wasteland.

[ChamberWatch]

The U.S. Chamber wants people to help set the energy agenda....and I think we should.

http://www.uschamber.com/press/ads/advocate_energy.htm

[amazingdrx]

"...the project's turbines towering 417 feet high could pose navigation and radar hazards."

So the Cape Wind critics gave up on the bird kill stuff for awhile eyyh? I guess finding out that windows kill 1000 times more birds than any other cause will tend to do that.

Yeah better level everything over 400 feet high on the east coast, it could be hazardous!!

[Rod Adams]

I am not aware of any coastal structures that approach 417 feet high - that is about 42 stories. In addition, there are few coastal structures that are purposely designed to change the local climate - I strongly believe that the wind is a natural part of the local environment.

I do not agree with the idea that a single corporation should be allowed to harvest a useful and valuable commodity that has previously been shared among many. Sailors have been using the wind in the proposed area for hundreds of years - why are their interests being sold off?